More details emerge on Chris Tanev's surgery as the Maple Leafs await clarity
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Coming out of practice on Monday we have a better idea of what's going on with Chris Tanev at least when it comes to a potential surgery, not a return timeline.
Chris Tanev has been injured for the majority of the 2025-26 season due to several different injuries including two concussions he suffered only a week or so apart from each other.
His most recent injury is expected to take him out for the long-term and while there is potential for him to return for the playoffs; his regular season still very much remains in jeopardy and a new report shows it's not looking good.
Chris Tanev contemplating surgery as injury issues linger
According to Craig Berube at Monday's practice, Tanev is still mulling over surgery options and explicitly stated that the two injuries prior do not have anything to do with this latest ailment:
If Tanev were to get surgery it would likely take him out until late April-early May and that would essentially put him in line to return for a playoff push if the Maple Leafs even make it there in the first place.
Granted they are in a good spot given that the Atlantic Division is wide open and really is anyone's game at this point, but the team needs to band together and make sure they don't waste the momentum they've built up.
Chris Tanev's loss being felt both on and off the ice
It's a really unfortunate turn of events for Tanev as not only is he arguably Toronto's best shutdown defender on any given night, but his locker room presence and eternally optimistic leadership is sorely missed.
He could block 10 shots a night, get smacked and banged around every which way and you'll still see Tanev with a huge toothless grin. Embodying a warrior spirit, there isn't much that the veteran can't walk away from however these latest injuries seem to be catching up.
In only 11 games this season, Tanev has two assists, a plus-eight and 15 blocks but even in that short span of time he was incredibly effective.
For now though, it's going to be tough times in Toronto as they are not only going to be without Tanev, but also Jake McCabe as he is out for a week or so with an unidentified injury meanwhile Brandon Carlo is just now making a return after a month away.
It's time for the rough-and-tumble, rag-tag group of defensemen to band together and make sure they can stop as much as they can while being heavily shorthanded on the back end.
But if anyone can do it, it's the Maple Leafs and they've already shown that in the face of adversity, they can pull through. Though Tanev would certainly make life a little bit easier for Craig Berube and company.